Family: Myrtaceae
Common name: Narrow-leaved paperbark, Snow-in-summer, Flax-leaved paperbark
Narrow-leaved paperbark is a beautiful, versatile tree preferred by gardeners for their beautiful leaves and feathery white flowers. They are native to Australia, but are now commonly seen in India and other tropical countries.
Tree characteristics
Narrow-leaved paperbark is a small to medium-sized tree that can grow to a height of 6 to 10 meters with a thick, well-branched stem that can peel away in layers like paper, giving the tree its name paperbark.
The name Narrow-leaved comes from the leaves, which are thin, narrow, alternately arranged on the stem. They are 2-4 cm long and 1-3 mm wide, bright green except for the tender leaves which are sometimes tinged red.
Leaves of the Narrow-leaved paperbark contain essential oil which are released when they are crushed, a characteristic feature of many plants in the Melaleuca species including the Bottlebrush tree or Callistemon citrinus, also called Meleleuca citrina.
Flowers bloom in dense cylindrical clusters which makes them look like bottle brushes. These flowers are white in color, rarely tinged pink.
Flower spikes of the Narrow-leaved paperbark tree can be about 5 cm long with 10-30 individual flowers that are very small.
Petals are tiny, 2-3 mm long but the stamens are very prominent, each flower containing hundreds of stamens that give it a feathery appearance.
Narrow-leaved paperbark trees do not flower for a long duration, but when it does, the tree is covered with a profusion of beautiful white flowers, giving the tree its name Snow-in-summer.
These flowers are fragrant, attracting small birds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects in abundance. After pollination, the flowers produce fruits which are woody capsules, 2-3 mm in diameter.
Though these capsules fall from the tree, the seeds are not released until the outer covering is decomposed in the soil.
Gardening Tips
Narrow-leaved paperbark trees grow well in good sunlight, but they can tolerate partial shade of the taller tree. These trees can withstand frost and drought for short periods of time, once the tree is mature and established in the soil.
Smaller trees need lot of care, especially in India, since it is not a native tree. Watering and fertilization is required during growing years, after which the tree can be neglected without any consequence.
Pruning should be done to keep the tree rounded and healthy. The Narrow-leaved paperbark tree is resistant to pests and diseases, primarily because of the scented leaves.
There are some beautiful cultivars like ‘Snowstorm’ that only grows to a height of 1.5 meters, ‘Seafoam’ at 2.5 meters and ‘Claret tops’ that are known for the red-tinged new leaves; the names as beautiful as the cultivars.
Uses of Narrow-leaved paperbark trees
Traditionally, the tree has many uses and is very similar to the Melaleuca alternifolia from which is produced the tea tree oil.
Narrow-leaved paperbark trees produce essential oils that are used for treating cuts, wounds, burns, stings, wars, insect bites, acne, thrust, cold sores, and other skin diseases, since it has antiseptic properties.
The essential oil is fragrant and is therefore used in aromatherapy, making soaps, as well as other cosmetic treatments. The fresh leaves and twigs are mainly used to produce the essential oils.
The wood is resistant to fire and is tree is capable of resprouting from the base after it is partially damaged by forest fires. The papery bark was used for making shelters and for wrapping food.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds or stem cuttings. Cuttings of semi-mature branches can be treated with rooting hormones to enhance success rate.
Photographed at: Salem, Tamilnadu; and Kadamakudy, Kochi
